IMF approves 838.8 million euro tranche to Portugal

WASHINGTON

WASHINGTON The International Monetary Fund on Wednesday agreed to disburse the next loan tranche of 838.8 million euros (696.5 million pounds) to Portugal under the country's 78 billion euro international bailout.

The country's lender, including the IMF, European Union and European Central Bank, agreed in September to give Lisbon more time to meet the deficit targets under the rescue loan after austerity affected tax revenues that had been supposed to rise.